2 American child sex offenders barred from entering PH

September 6, 2026

By ABOGADO.COM.PH Staff

The Bureau of Immigration recently barred the entry of two Americans with child sex offense convictions from entering the Philippines.

The latest case occurred on August 20 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, where BI officers excluded Daniel Anthony Welch, 53, an American national who arrived aboard a United Airlines flight from San Francisco.

BI records showed that Welch was convicted in the United States in 2006 for sexual assault and a pattern of abuse involving a 14-year-old child.

Welch was excluded from entering the country under the applicable provision of Philippine immigration law covering foreign nationals whose presence is considered prejudicial to public interest.

Earlier on August 16, another American national, Christopher Jon Plowman, 57, was excluded at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport.

Plowman arrived aboard an Eva Air flight from Taipei and was excluded after BI officers verified his criminal record involving a child, for which he was convicted in the United States in 2005.

“These cases demonstrate our commitment to keeping children and vulnerable persons safe. The Philippines will not be a refuge for foreign nationals with criminal records involving the sexual abuse of children,” BI commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said.

“Through our #ShieldKids campaign, we are strengthening our efforts to prevent foreign sexual predators from entering our country. Our officers will continue to work with international law enforcement partners and use every lawful means available to identify and keep these individuals out,” he added.